Oil - why would you use Rotella T6, a diesel oil, in your Spyder?

[SteveandBelinda]

I noticed people talking about using Shell Rotella T6. T6 is diesel oil, according to what people mentioned. Since when and why would you use diesel oil in place of a4 stroke motorcycle engine oil?

[bikerchris1270]

I noticed people talking about using Shell Rotella T6. T6 is diesel oil, according to what people mentioned. Since when and why would you use diesel oil in place of a4 stroke motorcycle engine oil?

Very good question……

[2dogs]

Diesel oils normally do not contain the slickeners that are added to oils which are recommended for cars that promote greater MPGs. Those slickeners will not work well with wet clutches.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Diesel oils normally do not contain the slickeners that are added to oils which are recommended for cars that promote greater MPGs. Those slickeners will not work well with wet clutches.

..........and it's JASO MA II rated ..... doesn't get much better than that .....JMHO .....Mike

[sledge]

the last 20 years of my working life , was as a Diesel Mechanic , Big Trucks , 18 wheelers .. the ONLY Oil we installed was Rotella T . but back in those days I never heard of anyone putting it in anything except Big Rigs . . . just saying .

[troop]

Read specs/approvals near bottom of page 2. Not my favorite oil, but it meets all specs.

https://rotella.shell.com/en_us/prod...f/t6-5w-40.pdf

[SteveandBelinda]

I guess I will just stick with Valvoline Full Synthetic 10w40 Motorcycle Oil. Putting diesel oil in a bike just doesn’t sound right

[Mazo EMS2]

Simple, as it meets all the specs of the over rated BRP oil. It's readily available and about half the price. It's worked fine for me in my previous 998 and the current 2021 1330's.

[BCNewell]

Have been using Rotella T4 conventional oil in 7 Motorcycles over the last 12+ years. Have already bought 2 gallons of T6 15w40 for use on the first oil change on the F3-S. Not saying it’s the best there is out there. Just saying that it has the correct specs, is (usually) readily available, and has never failed me in the years I have used it.

[rjinaz86323]

Rotella T6 is great oil. I have used it for years. It's also in my Jeep and even my lawn tractor

[RICZ]

WHY NOT??? IT's JASO MA2 rated. Good for MCs with wet clutches and cats. Good for a 9K run too, according to my analyst's reports. That's due to the heavier additive package that Diesels require for engine longevity. That benefits gas engines too.

[EdMat]

I guess I will just stick with Valvoline Full Synthetic 10w40 Motorcycle Oil. Putting diesel oil in a bike just doesn’t sound right

Because if they called it Shell Rotella T6 Motorcycle Oil you would be very happy, but truckers would avoid it. Who has the biggest market. It just happens to meet the requirements of both.

[2dogs]

It's been known for years by HD riders that diesel oil could be used in their engines in a pinch if they were caught out in the middle of Egypt somewhere and couldn't find MC oil.

[Piratezz]

Even when they put gummybears, on the package, It won't make a difference.... or if they would call it motorcola, it's all about the specs, and Rotella t6, just ticks all the boxes.
Jaso MaII rated is well suited for the spyders, it's been said above, it's all about marketing, but rotella is a good oil, is it the best? I don't know, there will be better ones around, even overhere in the netherlands Rotella is readily availble.

The spyder has a wet clutch, using the wrong spec oil, would ruin the clutchplates in a heartbeat, I've seen it happen.

[Little Blue]

...If the oil you use meets the Spyder specifications, then you are good to go. Rotella T6 (a diesel engine oil) just happens to have the correct specs. ....

[MrMagicFingers]

the last 20 years of my working life , was as a Diesel Mechanic , Big Trucks , 18 wheelers .. the ONLY Oil we installed was Rotella T . but back in those days I never heard of anyone putting it in anything except Big Rigs . . . just saying .

Been using Diesel motor oil in in my Goldwings for over 30 years. Yummmm!!! hahahaha

Tim

[bikerchris1270]

Best oil on the market…….maybe…….could be……

[Navydad]

Why would anyone care or worry about what oil, tires, windshield, boots, socks, or underwear I use unless of course they're paying for it. Rotella meets the specs. End of story.

[KSCRZR]

It's been known for years by HD riders that diesel oil could be used in their engines in a pinch if they were caught out in the middle of Egypt somewhere and couldn't find MC oil.

I go so far as to say they don't even have to be in Egypt or in a pinch. When I had my v-twin before getting the bikes I have now, I ran T6. Its used a lot on the forums I used to frequent.

[blacklightning]

A lot of people on the 2nd gen Vmax site use it in their bikes. It is also a go to remedy for the modern coyote engine (5.0 or 302) in the newer mustang and ford truck engines that have the known "type writer tick". I have not tried it in either of my vehicles, but I have heard good things about it.

[Bangorbob]

I started using it in my 1st goldwing when I read about on the GW forum. I figured if GW owners would use it than I would give it a try. Been using it in all my MC's since. I like what Navydad said.

[troop]

I guess I will just stick with Valvoline Full Synthetic 10w40 Motorcycle Oil. Putting diesel oil in a bike just doesn’t sound right

But .. BRP uses 5w40. Why are you using a weight rating not recommended by Can-Am? Devils advocate here..

[SteveandBelinda]

But .. BRP uses 5w40. Why are you using a weight rating not recommended by Can-Am? Devils advocate here..

Because I don't need that weight for the cold side. Live in Michigan 7 months, and winter in Arizona

[Peter Aawen]

Per viewing the Mobil 1 and Castrol website, they say that they do not add Friction Modifiers to their 4T oil so as to Protect Wet Clutches. This is essentially the only major difference. so, if you want to glaze your friction clutches....rock on Rottella.
www.mobil.com
www.castrol.com

Neither does Shell when it comes to the Rotella . Only Shell doesn't just 'say' it, they let the JASO MA II rating say it for them!

So if there's any glazing of friction clutches to be done, it ain't gonna be the Rotella T6 doing it, cos not only does it meet &/or exceed all the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Diesel Oil, but Rotella T6 ALSO meets or exceeds the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Motorcycle Oil too!

So just cos you might see that it says 'Diesel' on the side of the container, it still doesn't stop it being a Motorcycle oil too - it's all in the fine print where the oil company specifies which Ratings & Standards the oil IN the Container meets!

[bikerchris1270]

Neither does Shell when it comes to the Rotella . Only Shell doesn't just 'say' it, they let the JASO MA II rating say it for them!

So if there's any glazing of friction clutches to be done, it ain't gonna be the Rotella T6 doing it, cos not only does it meet &/or exceed all the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Diesel Oil, but Rotella T6 ALSO meets or exceeds the necessary ratings & standards to be a pretty good Motorcycle Oil too!

So just cos you might see that it says 'Diesel' on the side of the container, it still doesn't stop it being a Motorcycle oil too - it's all in the fine print where the oil company specifies which Ratings & Standards the oil IN the Container meets!

Ok, I completely understand what your saying………why not market it as a motorcycle oil….I have reached out to Shell Oil Co……waiting for reply.